Junior High, Tryouts

The junior high school Rai was going to was Kuzuryū junior high school, situated in Tokyo, known for its exceptionally strong basketball club. Their basketball team regularly makes appearances in the Nationals. It is said to be the 3rd best in the country.

It was even said that the famous basketball coach K from Kuzuryū high school took a leave for some time to come to junior high to coach.

He intends to personally find and train an elite player that could become the missing piece that Kuzuryū high school needs to win the nationals.

Kuzuryū junior high school already had an intense workout for the basketball club, but the arrival of coach K pushed it to another level, making the players dare not slack off.

Rai and other freshmen were directly placed in third-string. It wasn't until a few days later that the time for the tryouts, that players would be reassigned.

It was there that Rai saw a few familiar faces from anime. Third Year, Shooting Guard, Shoichi Imayoshi, who would later go on to enroll in Tōō Academy. Third Year, Small Forward, Kiyoshi Miyaji, would join Shūtoku High.

But these people didn't attract his attention. The only one who attracted his attention was the Second Year Point Guard, Hanamiya Makoto, one of the future Uncrowned Kings.

He had a bit of talent and skills, enough for Rai to think of him as a useful asset in the court.

Another person who attracted his attention was the Second Year Center, Zentetsu Baro. But as Rai still hadn't seen the former play, he couldn't quite put his finger on why he had a strange feeling about that person.

Days went by and before long it was the day for the tryouts.

Rai woke up at five, as usual, taking a quick shower and donning his tracksuit, starting his daily routine.

With earphones for music in his ears and basketball in his hand, he sprinted to the local basketball court while dribbling, a mile away from his house.

With the sky still dark, he started his daily drills. He did some shooting, dribbling, and post up drills before calling it a day, realizing it was already past seven.

By the time he came back, he could already hear some noise in the Kitchen. He quietly went upstairs, taking a bath once again because of his sweaty body.

His parents were already at the dining table, eating their breakfast when he came down.

He said good morning before sitting down and eating his breakfast. They were never a family who talked much while eating, so everyone quietly ate.

After eating they had some small chatter before everyone went their way.

He arrived at school around half an hour earlier, so he leaned on his seat, at the back of the class, with his eye mask on, taking a quick nap.

He quickly got through the entire day, though making sure to not slack off on his studies.

Before long the school ended and the time for club activities arrived.

His appearance immediately attracted attention as he set foot in the gym, because of his built and unique appearance.

"With that height, he would get into second-string without even trying! It's really unfair."

"Stop complaining about it for once!"

It was not false, because, at the age of twelve, he already stood at 5' 9".

With his basketball in his hands, Rai walked to a corner of the gym, minding his own business. Before long coaches and first-string players arrived.

"Alright, everyone, gather around." The assistant coach standing behind coach K shouted, making the original chaotic gym quiet.

Coach K went ahead and gave a speech, before dividing everyone into groups and starting the tryouts.

The coach challenged everyone both physically and mentally. Freshman A encountered drills that tested their shooting, dribbling, defense, and rebounding skills. You may have to run through some offensive or defensive plays. You might even play in a scrimmage.

Coach k wide eyes shone, focusing his attention on a player that easily dominated everything he threw at him.

Everyone in the gym focused on a specific court. Even the regulars became serious looking at the person, that would most likely become their teammate in the coming months.

…

Rai lightly dribbled, looking at the three defenders in front of him. Rai slowed before suddenly striding forward, immediately breaking through his defense with just speed. He leaped, slamming down the ball with one hand.

Clang!

Cheers erupted, and surrounding players looked in amazement.

For some of them, this was the first time seeing a junior high player dunk.

Rai didn't pay the surroundings any heed, completely focused on destroying his opponents physically and mentally.

Accelerate, jump, slam!

He kept breaking through defense and dunking until the defenders opposite were on the floors unable to move anymore…

It wasn't long before coach K gathered everyone to announce the results, for the group that played mostly today.

"…..and advancing to first-string, there is only Itoshi Rai, that will be all."